Joel Datema Joel’s Rehab Journey 🙏

On Sunday December 5th, 2021 Joel suffered from an ischemic stroke affecting the left/back part of his brain.  He was able to get to the hospital in time to be given a very important clot-dissolving drug called tPA that restores blood flow to the brain area affected by the stroke and limits the risk of damage and functional impairment.  But just  like with any medication there was a known risk of bleeding in the brain.  Joel ended up in the 6% of people with significant bleeding in the brain which was found in a CT scan 24 hours later. They say this was unusual for it to happen this many hours after it was administered (normally it would be in first 6 hours).  

On Dec 6th we came to the hospital to say our goodbyes as his nuero checks were declining, his breathing was very shallow and it didn’t look good.  He miraculously survived through the night but was now in ICU being carefully monitored for increased bleeding/swelling of the brain and for his escalating blood pressure. The next few weeks felt like a roller coaster ride filled with many up’s and downs and the unknowns of what we would walk into for that day. 


As of currently (Dec 20) he has both expressive and receptive aphasia (difficulty talking AND understanding speech). He can clearly recognize familiar faces however is unable to recall names.  He has Right sided body neglect meaning he doesn’t remember that side of his body is there which will affect his ability to feed himself and walk. 


Please prayerfully join us in Joel’s stroke rehab journey of many expected ups and downs; emotionally, physically and spiritually but we continue to proclaim with certainty that God is here with us every step of the way whether we feel it or not.  We know He is in the details & that He cares for and loves his children better than we ever could. Here we gooooo……..